Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus Podcast

The amazing Martha Soledad (Twitter: @marthasoledad), an accomplished businesswoman, published author, and professional singer, took some time out to join the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus in our most recent podcast. Like so many other Hispanic Americans, Martha can identify with two cultures, two languages, and fully knows the immigration struggle. In Martha's case, she is U.S.-born but has proud roots all the way from Oakland to Michoacán.

In this episode, we speak to Martha about the absolute need for civic engagement from every available voter. While addressing the unique community of U.S.-born-but-foreign-raised Latinos, we explore this rarely-discussed community within the spectrum of Latinx identity. Our guest also shares her experience of people affected outside our borders and across Latin America. Finally, we discuss the urgency of the next presidential election in the U.S. and Martha encourages us all to not merely talk about "doing something," but to actually take action. Have a listen to this episode with Martha Soledad and we guarantee you won't be disappointed. ¡Sube el volumen!

"Martha is a spitfire with superwoman energy in her professional life. Her passion for civic engagement is positively contagious." - caucusita Alison Maciejewski

"With deep roots in the binational community that she loves, Martha connects with people on a personal level, on both sides of the border, in a way few others can." - caucusito Sam Stone

Hispanic Caucus participants in this episode: Alison Maciejewski (DA Czech Republic), Sam Stone (DA Mexico), and Rebecca Lammers (DA United Kingdom). Podcast intro/outro music provided by Carlos Colao (DA Spain).

This week the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus welcomed polyglot and foreign affairs expert Jana Nelson (Twitter: @anajanaina) as a special guest on our podcast. Jana has considerable experience as a congressional staff member, professional researcher, and working in diplomacy at the State Department. Among her many areas of specialized knowledge, Jana spoke with us about the various services provided by U.S. embassies and consulates which are available to U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad. The Hispanic Caucus was lucky to secure some of Jana's time and get her input on what an ambassador does and what the purpose of an embassy is, the role of Congress as it relates to U.S. embassies and consulates, why it's important for Americans abroad to vote, and several other important items.

Please check out Jana's insightful commentary -- and you know this wouldn't be an authentic Hispanic Caucus podcast episode if we didn't encourage you to subscribe to us!

*DA Hispanic Caucus participants in this episode: Amerika García-Grewal (DA Fiji), Luis Ore (DA Peru), Melanie García (DA Dominican Republic), and Michael Ramos (DA Australia). Podcast music provided by Carlos Colao (DA Spain).

You've heard her several times on NPR, and now, the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus was pleased to have G. Cristina Mora, Ph.D., as a guest on our podcast to discuss a range of issues under her expertise. Dr. Mora spoke on Latinos and the potential impacts of next year's census, how we came to use the term "Hispanics," and provided details about her book chronicling Hispanic Americans' rise in political and economic power stemming from years of activism and a push by the media (https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo15345128.html). Check out our conversation with Dr. Mora - and afterward, we're confident you'll agree that the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus podcast once again provides not only a quality educational lesson for all, but legitimate reasons to vote!

"Siempre, siempre, siempre es importante votar dondequiera que estés - cada voto cuenta." -- G. Cristina Mora, Ph.D. (Twitter: @GCristinaMora)

Sus comentarios en español comienzan a las 21:02 en la conversación. (Dr. Mora’s Spanish-language remarks begin at 21:02 into the conversation.)

DA Hispanic Caucus participants in this episode: Lori Smith (DA Mexico), Thomas López (DA Australia), and Michael Ramos (DA Australia). Podcast music provided by Carlos Colao (DA Spain).

One of the lesser-talked about issues of our time is the serious lack of Hispanic representation in the upper-most ranks of the United States Armed Forces, such as generals and admirals. Among those fighting to raise awareness of this issue is Edward Cabrera, president of the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (https://www.casabagroup.net/). "Eddie" is a former U.S. Air Force aviator who's now trying to educate both the public and federal lawmakers on this important issue. With an April 17th letter to the Defense Department backed by a May 7th letter from Congress, Eddie and his Alliance have been busy in 2019 in not only pointing out the problems with Hispanics being absent from senior officer positions, but he's also been proposing strategies to key officials to increase Hispanic representation in these role-model and mission-critical positions.

As someone who previously flew F-16 fighter jets and other combat-ready aircraft in addition to continuing to serve our country by working as a NASA programs manager, members of the DA Hispanic Caucus and the DA Military and Veteran Family Caucus were grateful that Eddie joined our podcast to spread his important messaging. As Eddie mentions on the podcast, Americans living abroad can help the cause in doing a take-action item by contacting your members of Congress - ¡Escúchalo ya!

DA participants in this episode: Anna Marie Mattson (DA France), Michael Lee (DA Germany), Carlos Colao (DA Spain), and Michael Ramos (DA Australia). Podcast music provided by Carlos Colao, musician and member of the DA Hispanic Caucus.

From immigrating to the U.S. as a young child to finishing law school to being elected as the first Latina in the state legislature, Brenda López Romero now aspires to be the next congresswoman representing the 7th Congressional District of Georgia. The Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus had a great discussion* with Rep. López Romero in learning more about why she's running and what her platform issues are. As a fully-bilingual lawmaker, we definitely appreciated López Romero speaking directly to GA-7 voters living abroad and to our Spanish-speaking caucus members. Please feel free to share this podcast episode with any and all Americans who vote in Georgia's 7th district!

"No podemos mejorar como estado, no podemos mejorar como país, sin tener buenos trabajos y desarrollo económico." - Brenda López Romero

Sus comentarios en español comienzan a las 27:20 en la conversación. (Rep. López Romero’s Spanish-language remarks begin at 27:20 into the conversation.)

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DA Hispanic Caucus participants in this episode: Marybeth Yarosh (DA Australia), José Miguel Madrigal (DA Costa Rica), and Michael Ramos (DA Australia). Podcast music provided by Carlos Colao (DA Spain), musician and member of the DA Hispanic Caucus.

*Note: Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties with recording the interview, there was an unexpected Internet "glitch" which resulted in missing four seconds of Rep. Lopez Romero's recorded commentary beginning at the 09:22 mark.

Will Prescott and Michael Ramos of the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus caught up with San Francisco-based, pro-gun safety activist Alex Navarro with Moms Demand Action (https://momsdemandaction.org/). As a former member of Democrats Abroad Netherlands, Alex has significant experience living abroad and has since advocated tirelessly for common-sense gun reforms to her California lawmakers. Have a listen to learn more about what Alex has been doing since returning back to the U.S. and why she is a clear leader in the ongoing fight again the gun lobby.

"At Moms Demand Action, we know that everyday in America there are about a hundred people who are shot and killed with a gun, and for every person there are two others who are injured. It's our responsibility to vote for politicians who care about us, who care about our safety, and who will do more than just send us 'thoughts and prayers' when we're injured. We need action." -- Alex Navarro

*Podcast music credit: Carlos Colao, musician and member of Democrats Abroad Spain and Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus.

​Ricky Barajas, ​a Democratic candidate​ running for a seat ​to represent ​Oregon's 1st District in ​the U.S. House of Representatives, joined the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus in a discussion over his reasons for wanting to be in public office in 2020, what it's like hearing from Oregonians on the campaign trail, why he believes he would be a congressman who has the best interests of OR-1's​ constituents in mind, and the urgent need for tax reform for American citizens who live abroad. Speaking with Ricky was insightful and enjoyable - ¡escúchelo!

*Note: the Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus urges Oregon voters to: 1) become educated on all candidates in preparation for Oregon's May 19, 2020 Democratic primary, 2) request their ballot using VoteFromAbroad.org, and 3) encourage other Americans abroad to request their ballot as well.

"I support residence-based taxation for Americans who live abroa​d.​" -- Ricky Barajas

Hispanic Caucus participants in this episode: Will Prescott (DA Mexico) and Michael Ramos (DA Australia). Podcast music provided by Carlos Colao (DA Spain).